Thinking Right

We need to believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is good news. That is what the word “Gospel” literally means: good news. If we have heard the message of redemption through Jesus Christ so many times that it does not fill us with joy, then it is time to step back and begin to reassess the way that we think about it. By reflecting upon the nature of sin—especially our own personal sin—and the goodness of God in bringing us completely from sin to salvation, we will be ignited with spiritual joy beyond measure. It is all about thinking about Jesus the right way, and thinking about Jesus, period.

The key to living for Jesus is thinking the right way. So many believers think in terms of doing things: reading the Bible, going to church, praying “enough.” While these can all be tools to help us in our relationship with God, and we certainly are not going to grow close to God without them, thinking about them primarily is akin to getting the cart before the horse, as they say.

What we need to realize is that what we think is the most important thing about us as far as determining our behavior and the habits by which we live our lives. By thinking correctly about Jesus, we will live correctly. Christianity—true discipleship, following Jesus—is not about what you do as much as it is about what you think. If you think about Jesus on a daily basis, thinking about His love, His grace, what He has done for you and wants to continue to do for you, then your life will follow suit. You will be in the correct lifestyle if you are in the correct mindset.

So live for Jesus. And realize that living for Jesus starts with thinking about Jesus. Think the right way about Him. Believe that He loves you. Believe that He knows your name, that He knows you intimately and loves you. He loves you more than anyone has ever loved you. Keep Christ in mind and your life will follow.

Dewayne Dunaway